Our multidisciplinary care teams include pathologists, radiologists, nurse navigators, and support oncology staff. These teams develop personalized care plans based on the most current discoveries in lung and other aerodigestive cancer treatment and research, such as genetic or molecular testing for specific gene mutations that can be targeted by new therapies.

By concentrating on a specific cancer type, our teams offer you the highest level of experience and expertise in lung and aerodigestive cancer care. Benefits of our multidisciplinary team approach include:

Access to doctors who rank among the top lung cancer experts in the world.

Diagnosing Your Lung Cancer

Primary lung cancer, or cancer that starts in the lungs, is divided into two main types based on which cell type is affected:

Other types of lung cancer are rare and account for only a small percentage of cases, such as lung carcinoid tumors and mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer most commonly linked with asbestos exposure.

At Winship, we use the very latest in precision medicine. We utilize state-of-the-art technology to test tumor tissues for a variety of gene mutations in patients with lung cancer, and use the results to select treatment options. By conducting thorough molecular testing of the tumor, we are able to match the treatments that are most likely to work for each patient.

There are many different tests and scans used to determine the presence, type and stage of lung cancer. Your doctor should determine which method or methods would be best for you.

Learn About Cancer

For reliable, in-depth information about cancer symptoms, staging and diagnosis, visit CancerQuest, an educational and outreach program at Emory University.

Your Treatment Options

Treatment plans are individualized based on the diagnosis, stage and genetic makeup of your lung cancer. Winship performs molecular screening tests to determine the genetic makeup of your cancer and evaluate if new therapies can help in your treatment.

Your treatment options may vary, but in most cases one or a combination of the following methods will be used:

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Physicians give these drugs based on the stage of the tumor. Chemotherapy may be used in combination with radiation and surgery to treat lung cancer.

Radiation: Radiation is the use of high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells. Physicians may use radiation by itself to treat lung cancer or to shrink tumors before surgery. Radiation therapy is given based on the stage of the tumor. Learn more about radiation therapy treatments and services.

Surgery: Physicians may remove parts of the lung(s) and nearby affected tissues.

Targeted Therapy: For certain patients with lung cancer, we use targeted treatments that are highly specific to the patient’s cancer. The targeted treatments are often available in pill form, so patients can take them on their own at home.

We understand that this is a very stressful time. We welcome your questions and requests for help. Here is more information to help familiarize you with Winship and give you and idea of what to expect on your first visit.

Roger S. Williams DO

Dr. Williams is a board certified radiologist with a certificate of Added Qualification in Interventional Radiology. He is part of a multi-disciplinary team of medical, surgical and radiation oncologists who develop specialized treatment plans for each patient.